LAKELAND, Fla. — Football season is winding down for students across the Tampa Bay area. Lakeland High School has a reputation for making it to the postseason with eight state titles and two national championships.
About a dozen former Lakeland High School students, including the Pouncey brothers, have ended up in the NFL. There’s a major change this year that’s starting a new era. This was the first football season with a head coaching change in nearly five decades for the Dreadnaughts.
“The only thing he did was change with times,” new head coach Marvin Frazier Jr. said of his former boss Bill Castle.
“I'm excited about this journey,” Frazier said.
He was promoted from assistant to head coach after Castle announced his retirement. He's learned a lot from the legend, and it’s helped him figure out his game plan for this new role.
“Don't let this little stuff, don't sweat it out. You know, there's gonna be so many things throughout a week. And don't let those little things beat you up,” Frazier said. “We try to take one game at a time.”
Frazier says he hopes to end the season finishing strong.
“Friday nights here are different [from] anywhere else you'll find I've heard of some great places around the state, even around the country, but Friday nights here, Bryant Stadium, packed house, especially when it's playoffs,” Frazier said.
While he was offered other jobs, Frazier says he wouldn't want to coach anywhere else and really loves these kids.
You can check out the rankings for the Florida High School Athletic Association here.